Marie Claire UK Marie Claire UK
  • Fashion Fashion
      • Fashion
        • View all Fashion
        • Fashion Trends
        • Shopping
        • Watches and Jewellery
        • Fashion News
  • Beauty Beauty
      • Beauty
        • View all Beauty
        • Fragrance
        • Hair
        • Make Up
        • Skincare
        • Nails
        • Marie Claire Beauty Awards
  • Health Health
      • Health
        • View all Health
        • Fitness
        • Nutrition
        • Female Health
        • Wellbeing
  • Life Life
      • Life
        • View all Life
        • Opinions
        • Travel
        • Sustainability
        • Weddings
        • Money & Work
        • Competitions
  • Culture Culture
      • Culture
        • View all Culture
        • TV and Film
        • Celebrity News
        • Books
        • Royal News
  • Vouchers Vouchers
      • Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Mint Velvet
        • Karen Millen
        • H&M
        • nobody's child
        • ASOS
        • ARKET
        • MANGO
      • Designer Clothing
        • View all Vouchers
        • Reiss
        • THE OUTNET
        • SSENSE
        • Mytheresa
        • Liberty London
        • Selfridges
        • Farfetch
      • Accessories
        • View all Vouchers
        • AllSaints
        • Aspinal of London
        • Charles & Keith
        • River Island
        • FitFlop
        • Kate Spade
        • Vagabond
      • Jewellery
        • View all Vouchers
        • Pandora
        • Abbott Lyon
        • Goldsmiths
        • Beaverbrooks
        • Astrid & Miyu
        • Swarovski
        • Angara Jewellery
      • Beauty
        • View all Vouchers
        • Sephora
        • Cult Beauty
        • Space NK
        • Dyson
        • Clarins
        • Look Fantastic
        • Clinique
      • Activewear
        • View all Vouchers
        • Lululemon
        • Gymshark
        • Sweaty Betty
        • Nike
        • adidas
        • New Balance
        • Helly Hansen
  • NEWSLETTER Signup to our newsletter
  • logoCreated with Sketch.
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Women in Sport 2026
    • Marie Claire Masters
    • Spring Summer 2026
    • Nail Trends 2026
    • Best Investment Bags
    • Best Perfumes
    • Digital Issues
    • Women Who Win
    1. Style
    2. Shopping

    Six Fashion Trends That Shouldn't Work - But Do!

    There are always those tricky trends that you think will never work, yes, midriffs, I’m talking about you, then before you know it everyone is wearing it and you’ve missed the boat. Don’t be so quick to dismiss, read on to get S/S ready whatever the trend.

    By Lucia Debieux
    Published 10 April 2013 In Features

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Trends that shouldn't work but do
    Trends that shouldn't work but do
    (Image credit: Imaxtree)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    There are always those tricky trends that you think will never work, yes, midriffs, I’m talking about you, then before you know it everyone is wearing it and you’ve missed the boat. Don’t be so quick to dismiss, read on to get S/S ready whatever the trend.

    1. Matchy-Matchy Accessories This season designers all over the catwalk were going head-to-head with matchy-matchy accessories. It's not just about your shoes and bag matching K Middy-style, though, to get the 2013 look, follow Carven’s lead and match to the print of your dress, too. It’s the ultimate lazy gal's styling trick to stand out and make a statement for all the right reasons.

    2. 90s Grunge We first saw it in the early 90s with Marc Jacobs' S/S 1993 show at New York Fashion Week. Now it's back and more wearable than ever. 2013 grunge has a laidback feel to it, but in slick fabrics. Yes, you might be wearing a sloppy sweater with ripped denim (we like the Current/Elliot Distressed Boyfriend style best) but you are teaming them with a bold court shoe. No scruffy trainers here.

    Don't let the music references from Nirvana scare you off either, you don't have to be a die hard Pearl Jam fan to enjoy this trend. Take one maxi skirt, long sweeping to the floor, add a slogan tee, (the must have piece of the moment), an oversized plaid shirt and you're already there.

    Fashion trends that shouldn't work but do

    Fashion trends that shouldn't work but do
    (Image credit: Imaxtree)

    3. Do a Dungaree At the A/W shows back in February every Fashion Editor worth their salt was sporting a pair of dungarees. Yes, you heard that right, dungarees! From double denim and floral prints to leather. It's the key piece of the summer. Wear it now layered with a roll neck underneath, then, for when the sun finally comes out, knock the tomboy connotations on their head and team it with lacy camisole for a girly spin. Roll up the hem to just above the ankle and add a high heel for the wow effect.

    You may like
    • @anoukyve summer in the city outfits I've Spent Weeks Spotting the Chicest Summer Workwear Outfits—These 5 Are What I'll Copy Next
    • Best Summer Sandals 2026 5 Sandal Trends Every Stylish Woman Is Wearing This Summer
    • White Stuff printed dress From Statement Prints to Breezy Dresses, Effortless Summer Style Starts with White Stuff

    Fashion trends that shouldn't work but do

    Fashion trends that shouldn't work but do
    (Image credit: Imaxtree)

    4. Jumbo Stripes Who ever said horizontal stripes can make you appear wider than you would like? Don’t believe it. We are rewriting the rule book this summer. None of that skinny vertical stripe here. We are going big and bold this season. Wear it head-to-toe for maximum impact and keep jewels to a minimum. Plus, wider vertical stripes help balance out a petite frame and give the illusion of added height. Win win!

    Marc Jacobs fashion trends blog

    Marc Jacobs fashion trends blog
    (Image credit: Imaxtree)

    5. White-out The ultimate conversation starter gets a upgrade for S/S. White stilettos can look chic and expensive. Just remember, don’t overdo the fake tan and try and keep the heel under four inches. Do look out for an unfussy design, invest in a good quality shoe polish and go for leather not suede. These Schuh classics wont break the bank. 

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Trends that shouldn't wotk but do

    Trends that shouldn't wotk but do

    6. Reveal Yourself Pack your leather skirt away at once. A delicate organza sheer skirt is your new wardrobe must-have. Ultra-feminine and guaranteed to turn heads. Team with a block coloured silk shirt for a look that works for the office. If you're not feeling so bold, go for a style with a sheer panelled detail like this Topshop one.

    Valli fashion trends blog

    Valli fashion trends blog
    (Image credit: Imaxtree)

    Before you go, make sure to check out our Liberty discount codes to save on the latest designer pieces. 

    Lucia Debieux
    Social Links Navigation
    Read more
    @anoukyve summer in the city outfits
    Fashion I've Spent Weeks Spotting the Chicest Summer Workwear Outfits—These 5 Are What I'll Copy Next
    Best Summer Sandals 2026
    Fashion 5 Sandal Trends Every Stylish Woman Is Wearing This Summer
     
     
    White Stuff printed dress
    Fashion From Statement Prints to Breezy Dresses, Effortless Summer Style Starts with White Stuff
    @sarah.corbettwinder wears sarong and shirt
    Shopping Last-Minute Packing for Your Beach Holiday? All You Need Is Your Favourite Shirt and This Throwback ’90s Item
     
     
    Latest in Shopping
    Kinda Chic Trend
    Shopping Is "Kinda Chic" Kinda Cringe? Everyone's Favourite Fashion Word Just Went Completely Out of Fashion
    Kaia Gerber
    Shopping Everything Kaia Gerber Wears Is a Masterclass in Minimalism—These Are the Pieces and Brands She Always Goes Back to
     
     
    Monikh Dale
    Shopping 4 Stylish Throw-On Outfits for Busy Mums Currently Juggling Kids’ School Holidays, Work and Everything In Between
    Copenhagen Fashion Week street style
    Shopping Kitten-Heel Sandals, Lace Dresses and the Season's New Favourite Shade of Blue— These are the Copenhagen Fashion Week Street Style Trends to Note
     
     
    Latest in Features
    The long hair trend and the post-bob era
    Hair I’ve Spent Two Years Growing My Bob—Turns Out, There's a Reason Long Hair Is Trending
    @nlmarilyn in transitional autumn outfits
    Fashion Goodbye Summer Dresses, I'm in Autumn Outfit Planning Mode—These 5 Are Fresh
     
     
    Arsenal footballer and Lioness Chloe Kelly
    Health and Fitness Women in Sport 2026: Featuring Chloe Kelly, Elite Beauty Products, Grand Prix 2.0 and So Much More
    Mischa Anouk Smith on an astrology travel trip to Türkiye, where she got engaged less than 24 hours after a birth chart reading.
    Travel I Let Astrology Plan My Holiday—Less Than 24 Hours Later, I Was Engaged
     
     
    logoCreated with Sketch.
    • Site Archive
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Terms and conditions
    • Advertise with us
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • About us
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire UK is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.